5 cool secrets that were hidden in the Mass Ave. Coca-Cola plant for decades

Take a pre-renovation tour of the Art Deco-era Coca-Cola Bottling Company plant on Mass Ave in Indianapolis, the future home of the multi-use Bottleworks district. The district will offer places to work, live, eat and entertainment. (August 2017)
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

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A worn Coca-Cola logo, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel. (Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)Buy Photo

The soft drink — which had an original recipe that included cocaine and wine in the 19th century before temperance laws kicked in — was taking off. The Yuncker family bought the franchise and created the Coca-Cola Bottling Works of Indianapolis, said Dave Kroll, director of historic preservation at Ratio architecture.

Over the years, the Massachusetts Avenue plant grew into the world's largest bottling plant, with 260 workers who produced 2.25 million bottles of Coca-Cola a week, he said. It thrived until cans took over the market in the 1960s.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman bought the property in 1964 and stored his car collection there before selling the property to Indianapolis Public Schools in 1968.

Indiana Landmarks hosted a sold-out August tour and is hosting another one Saturday — which also is sold out — to let the public get a final peek before construction begins in the spring on the new Bottleworks development.

Before construction kicks up all the dust, here are five details you have to know about:

1. Winding staircase and bubbles

The staircase that winds up from the main entrance — a grand, brass-colored door with a fountain-like design atop it — is breathtaking. The fountain theme continues in the detailed pattern of the railing. On the ceiling, a central light fixture explodes into bubble-like shapes.

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The hand railing in an intricately decorated stairwell resembles fountains and the ceiling design resembles fizz, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel. (Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)

Reminds you of Coke, right? Well, that's the point, said William Browne Jr., the president at Ratio, the architecture firm for the project.

2. The tasting room

This is the most eye-catching room in the plant — and that's on purpose. The bottling line came out into the tasting room and was meant to be a show, Browne said.

"You could see bottles actually filled with Coke in there, which would've been very fun to come see," Browne said. "And the kids would come in, and they would have tours and that kind of thing."

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The 1930s-era tasting room, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into the bustling, mixed-use Bottleworks district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.(Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)

Originally windows in brass frames extended from floor to ceiling. IPS changed them out for partial cement-block walls, said Rob Gerbitz, president of Hendricks Commercial Properties. He plans to restore the windows, and the room will be made to look as close to the original as possible when it becomes the lobby for the Bottleworks Hotel by West Elm.

3. The Coke that ate the floor

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Portions of the floor have eroded due to Coca-Cola being repeatedly splashed on the floor, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel. (Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)

Terrazzo floors — which comprise marble or granite chips embedded in concrete that's polished — are common inside the plant. Much of it remains in its intended smooth, shiny state. But patches in the bottling area are rubbed down, with rocky innards poking through.

As it turns out, the spashes and spills of the soft drink are the cause.

"You'll see that there's some erosion," said Gwendolen Nystrom, Indiana Landmarks' director of heritage experiences. "That's how acidic Coca-Cola is."

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The 1930s-era tasting room, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into the bustling, mixed-use Bottleworks district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

An intricately decorated stairwell, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into the bustling, mixed-use Bottleworks district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The bottling room, where large portions of the floor have eroded due to Coca-Cola being repeatedly splashed on the ground, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into the bustling, mixed-use Bottleworks district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Portions of the floor have eroded due to Coca-Cola being repeatedly splashed on the floor, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The bottling plant seen against the Indianapolis skyline, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into the bustling, mixed-use Bottleworks district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The bottling company logo, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A tour-goer is silhouetted by a factory window, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A large room in the bottling plant, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The hand railing in an intricately decorated stairwell mimics fountains, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The ceiling design in an intricately decorated stairwell resembles soda fizz, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The hand railing in an intricately decorated stairwell resembles fountains and the ceiling design resembles fizz, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A vintage refrigerator and restroom near the second floor executive offices, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The view of the bottling campus seen from the second floor of the main building, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A worn Coca-Cola logo, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

At right, president of Indiana Landmarks Marsh Davis speaks about a receiving room which was later used by IPS as a woodshop, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A large elevator was used by Tony Hulman to move cars from the first floor to the second in the late 1960s, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The ceiling in a portion of the second floor dedicated to executive offices, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

An intricate ceiling in one of the second floor executive officers, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

An intricate ceiling in one of the second floor executive officers, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A telephone room on the second floor of the main building, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A room on the second floor of the main building, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Tile flooring in a testing laboratory on the second floor of the main building, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

An auditorium on the second floor of the main building, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

An intricate ceiling in one of the second floor executive officers, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

An intricate ceiling in one of the second floor executive officers, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A clock in the 1930s-era tasting room, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into the bustling, mixed-use Bottleworks district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The 1930s-era tasting room, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into the bustling, mixed-use Bottleworks district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

4. One super-fancy bathroom and mini-fridge

The sparse setting that dominates the utilitarian areas of the plant gives way to a lush aesthetic in the executive offices. An intricate molding, with a flower-type pattern, covers the ceilings, and the walls have a dark wood paneling.

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A vintage refrigerator and restroom near the second floor executive offices, as seen during a media tour of the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, Saturday, August 12, 2017. The historic Art Deco campus will be re-constructed into a bustling, mixed-use district in coming years, including the main building's transformation into a hotel. (Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)

In the midst of the offices is a wooden mini-fridge topped with two silver panels with geometric designs. In the charming bathroom, different sizes of colorful tiles are arranged into bands that encircle a mint green sink and toilet, and a mirror bears a fragment of a Greek key pattern.

Browne plans on repairing the fridge.

"And we'll have Coca-Cola available in there," he laughed.

5. Cleanliness and sanitation

A major selling point of the new bottling plant was that human hands wouldn't dirty the process, Kroll said.

"They were stressing that the process for sterilizing, filling and sealing the bottles was completed entirely by automatic machines without the touch of human hands, so they were very excited about that," Kroll said.

Likewise, other materials used to build the plant had a similar goal. The shiny surfaces, marble walls and the terrazzo floors were easy to clean.

The glazed, white, terra cotta tile that covers the buildings exuded cleanliness and was popular at the time, Kroll said. Much of it is chipped or damaged but will be restored and remain the building's calling card.

"We've had a complete survey done on the entire exterior of the building," Kroll said. "Each piece has been identified and drawn up and rated and determined if it's going to be cleaned, if it's going to be patched, if it's going to be replaced."